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Valenti

#101
policyvote said:
Guys, I think what Peter Parker is saying is true--Nino said it was true, too. To put together a bass from already-made components requires nothing but mechanical aptitude, appropriate tools, and knowledge that can be found for free, anywhere.

Oh, and dedication, patience, perseverance, passion, and heaps and stacks and mountains of TIME.

Most intelligent bass players who know the difference between a band saw and a coping saw could build a good J from good finished parts, if they took the time and effort to really study up, ask the right questions, get the right answers, and get all the details right. Most of those players could then go into business doing so, if they really had the drive and the passion to succeed.

The hurdle here is not some sort of "magic" involved in bolting parts together and doing a setup. It's that time, effort, passion, dedication, and attention to detail that makes the difference between having some beautiful parts that sound okay together, and having lots of amazing musical instruments.

Peace
policy
Click to expand...
Exactly what I said. Nino's work speaks for itself - and I put my money where my mouth is (thanks Poon). At the same time, I didn't take Peter's posts as anti-Nino at all (or anti-Sadowsky). To me, his point actually makes sense if you think about the very act of playing a bass. Do you remember the first time you watched a bass player in a live band (before you picked up the instrument)? What he or she did probably seemed amazing, inspired, something you could only dream about doing. Then you decided, at some point, to play that instrument. Perhaps you took lessons, perhaps you didn't, but anyone who has advanced with any regularity in their abilities has done some serious woodshedding. So, with time, passion, energy, and dedication you become familiar with your instrument and began to do some of the very things that you once considered "inspired" and "out of your league". The "mystique" of playing the bass live or recorded in a way that totally complements the music was no longer a "mystique".

This is the way I took Peter's comments - which, by the way, I don't take as slighting Roger or Nino at all. The difference is not innate ability (maybe) - it's TIME (and dedication, passion, perseverance, etc.)...in my case, it's time I do not have. So I prefer to save up and buy their products as I am able, knowing that I'll get a quality product that will be supported by the builder. However, to reiterate Peter's point, I don't consider those skills "beyond" me - they are definitely attainable skills - they would, however, require time and effort to perfect.

Jay
 
#102
HI

Wow. What a thread. I'm one of the biggest Sadowsky nuts on the planet. I own 5. On the other hand, I consider Nino a friend and would love to get a bass from him just because I like him so much!! Im sure sometime soon I will. I prefer Sadowsky's. I think his 4 string neck feels better than any neck out there. I think Roger's preamp and pickups are the best combination on the planet. I love the finishes, fretwork, setup, shape of the headstock, you name it. The first time I played one was the last time I wanted anything other than a Sadowsky

All that being said, a Valenti bass is outstanding. Fit, finish, fretwork, etc. Lots of options, colors, etc

A kit bass? I guess. I still dont understand why many seem to think that a bass handcarved would better get the job done than a CNC'd bass. The bottom line is how does it sound, feel, play. I dont care is Roger, Nino, Dan Lakin, etc get there woods from the dumpster. What they create ultimately is a remarkable instrument that sounds like a million dollars. Thats all that matters.

Easy to bolt one together? Sure. I made a Warmoth bass a couple years back. Beautiful finish, used the best hardware available, even used a Sadowsky pre and pickups. It was not a good bass. Was acoustically dead. Sold it pretty quickly.

I find it a disgrace to just discount the years and years guys like Roger, Nino, etc have invested and just say "anyone can do it" Yea, I guess anyone can. I was one who thought I could. My guitar player buddy was another. Trust me, you dont want to buy one of his Strats or Tele's!!!

Lets give credit where credit is due.

Bottom line is alot of us prefer a Bolt on bass. Many of us like the way it sounds. I do not like set necks, neckthoughs, etc.

Im a rocker and prefer the look of a Fender type instrument on stage!!

Handcarved does not equal better. It equals different and I say "no thanks". I'll take one of my 8lb Sadowskys, turn up my amp, and rip you head off. Thats what matters. You've gotta like what you have in your hands. If you dont, you've got the wrong thing in your hands.

Long live patient, meticulous people like Nino, Roger, Etc. The next time you run into one of them, shake their hand and thank them for the hard work, sweat, and attention to detail.

Rob
 
#104
Great post Rob. I agree.

I'll probably have one of Nino's basses sooner or later. I really appreciate his approach, honesty, and dedication. I corresponded with him a bit about a bass of his I was interested in. After we went back and forth several times over what I was looking for, and what the features of that particular bass were, he told me he didn't think that particular bass was for me. He probably cost himself a sale by being honest, but his concern with me being happy with the bass overrode his desire to make a sale. THAT is the kind of guy I'll deal with ANYTIME. Some of the Valentis posted here are absolutely beautiful, and I'd be willing to bet they are high quality in every way.
 
#106
I wondered when you'd show up. Just to let you know this was never about bolt-on vs Neck Through. I build bolt-on basses and prefer them as well. Why was your Wamoth an acoustically dead instrument? I doubt very seriously it was anything you did wrong. Acoustically dead suggests that maybe the wood used wasn't so good or just didn't meet your tonal expectations. Perhaps whoever owns it now thinks it's the best thing ever. Nobody's perfect, I'm sure there's several Warmoth's, USCG's, Valenti's, Sadoswky's, Lakland's, Fodera's, Smith's, Nordstrands, etc that someone would consider a dog and acoustically dead. It happens. Nothing disgraceful in that or anything else I've said.
bikeplate said:
HI

Wow. What a thread. I'm one of the biggest Sadowsky nuts on the planet. I own 5. On the other hand, I consider Nino a friend and would love to get a bass from him just because I like him so much!! Im sure sometime soon I will. I prefer Sadowsky's. I think his 4 string neck feels better than any neck out there. I think Roger's preamp and pickups are the best combination on the planet. I love the finishes, fretwork, setup, shape of the headstock, you name it. The first time I played one was the last time I wanted anything other than a Sadowsky

All that being said, a Valenti bass is outstanding. Fit, finish, fretwork, etc. Lots of options, colors, etc

A kit bass? I guess. I still dont understand why many seem to think that a bass handcarved would better get the job done than a CNC'd bass. The bottom line is how does it sound, feel, play. I dont care is Roger, Nino, Dan Lakin, etc get there woods from the dumpster. What they create ultimately is a remarkable instrument that sounds like a million dollars. Thats all that matters.

Easy to bolt one together? Sure. I made a Warmoth bass a couple years back. Beautiful finish, used the best hardware available, even used a Sadowsky pre and pickups. It was not a good bass. Was acoustically dead. Sold it pretty quickly.

I find it a disgrace to just discount the years and years guys like Roger, Nino, etc have invested and just say "anyone can do it" Yea, I guess anyone can. I was one who thought I could. My guitar player buddy was another. Trust me, you dont want to buy one of his Strats or Tele's!!!

Lets give credit where credit is due.

Bottom line is alot of us prefer a Bolt on bass. Many of us like the way it sounds. I do not like set necks, neckthoughs, etc.

Im a rocker and prefer the look of a Fender type instrument on stage!!

Handcarved does not equal better. It equals different and I say "no thanks". I'll take one of my 8lb Sadowskys, turn up my amp, and rip you head off. Thats what matters. You've gotta like what you have in your hands. If you dont, you've got the wrong thing in your hands.

Long live patient, meticulous people like Nino, Roger, Etc. The next time you run into one of them, shake their hand and thank them for the hard work, sweat, and attention to detail.

Rob
Click to expand...
 
#108
vicenzajay said:
Exactly what I said. Nino's work speaks for itself - and I put my money where my mouth is (thanks Poon). At the same time, I didn't take Peter's posts as anti-Nino at all (or anti-Sadowsky). To me, his point actually makes sense if you think about the very act of playing a bass. Do you remember the first time you watched a bass player in a live band (before you picked up the instrument)? What he or she did probably seemed amazing, inspired, something you could only dream about doing. Then you decided, at some point, to play that instrument. Perhaps you took lessons, perhaps you didn't, but anyone who has advanced with any regularity in their abilities has done some serious woodshedding. So, with time, passion, energy, and dedication you become familiar with your instrument and began to do some of the very things that you once considered "inspired" and "out of your league". The "mystique" of playing the bass live or recorded in a way that totally complements the music was no longer a "mystique".

This is the way I took Peter's comments - which, by the way, I don't take as slighting Roger or Nino at all. The difference is not innate ability (maybe) - it's TIME (and dedication, passion, perseverance, etc.)...in my case, it's time I do not have. So I prefer to save up and buy their products as I am able, knowing that I'll get a quality product that will be supported by the builder. However, to reiterate Peter's point, I don't consider those skills "beyond" me - they are definitely attainable skills - they would, however, require time and effort to perfect.

Jay
Click to expand...
TAHNK YOU! You get it. Your analogy about seeing someone play and thinking you can never do it only to find out through a little effort you can was right on. I remember years ago going to shows and seeing my heroes and leaving thinking I would never be able to play like that. Now that I physically can (thoug admittedly I'm still the musician they are) it's taken some of the joy out of seeing them now. It's still fun but something is missing. What you said, the mystique is gone is exactly it what it is. I'm missing the mystique that I built up in my own mind. It's the emotional aspect of my favorite players that I'm missing and no amount of practice will help me learn that. I know this doesn't seem to relate to the prior arguements but I kind of think it does.
 
#109
jokerjkny said:
his constant backtracking only reinforces my feelings. when peter hands me one of his nebulous basses and sells it to me, i'll shut up. nino sticks his neck out to build this community a great line of basses, so i guess i shouldnt be surprised when another so called unsung luthier has to come along and piss on the parade.
Click to expand...

Joker, I've seen you make some pretty unfounded statements but this one takes the cake. And I think it's only fair that, if you want to call Peter Parker a liar or a fibber, you go ahead and do it...instead of implying that it's all made up.

I guess I'm the only one who has played one of Peter's basses. I had the pleasure of playing a 5-string fretless Scott (Peter) made. It is certainly the best fretless I have ever played and perhaps one of the nicest instruments I have ever played. I'm not trying to make this a Parker v. Valenti thread, but any accusations that Parker is a "so called unsung luthier" (which is a veiled way of calling him a wannabe) are total and complete bull$hit.

I would be glad to post some clips of me playing, in case anyone wants to accuse *me* of having no idea what I'm talking about. I feel pretty educated about what's good and what's bad, when it comes to basses at least.

I think Valenti has inherited Sadowsky-itis by association. Alot of people get incredibly incensed when someone makes a *rational*, non-inflammatory comment about either. Peter never said that Valenti's were bad, he just said that it was easier to put a bass together than it was to make one from scratch. Wow! That's earth shattering. I can't believe anybody would say that.
 
#111
Peter Parker said:
You guys are acting like I attacked his character or something. OK. I give. Nino builds better than me, looks better than me, his dad can beat up my dad, and he has a bigger penis:bawl: :p
Click to expand...


I didn't take that from anyone's post. I was just commenting positively about Nino. That doesn't infer I think negatively of you(PS....Italians have the biggest packages) :)
 
#112
Wilbyman said:
Joker, I've seen you make some pretty unfounded statements but this one takes the cake. And I think it's only fair that, if you want to call Peter Parker a liar or a fibber, you go ahead and do it...instead of implying that it's all made up.

I guess I'm the only one who has played one of Peter's basses. I had the pleasure of playing a 5-string fretless Scott (Peter) made. It is certainly the best fretless I have ever played and perhaps one of the nicest instruments I have ever played. I'm not trying to make this a Parker v. Valenti thread, but any accusations that Parker is a "so called unsung luthier" (which is a veiled way of calling him a wannabe) are total and complete bull$hit.

I would be glad to post some clips of me playing, in case anyone wants to accuse *me* of having no idea what I'm talking about. I feel pretty educated about what's good and what's bad, when it comes to basses at least.

I think Valenti has inherited Sadowsky-itis by association. Alot of people get incredibly incensed when someone makes a *rational*, non-inflammatory comment about either. Peter never said that Valenti's were bad, he just said that it was easier to put a bass together than it was to make one from scratch. Wow! That's earth shattering. I can't believe anybody would say that.
Click to expand...

Hey Will. Thanks or the comments. It's funny what you eluded to in your post. From the things I said I was attacked and told to prove myself through pics and sound clips. As if this would prove anything. I've seen some pushic basses look good and pics and sound good in clips but they didn't truly reflect the quality of the bass. Now I guess you will need to post clips of your playing so you credibility is not questioned. Will is a great player by the way but you probably don't believe me;)
 
#113
HI

When I showed up? I was always here. I'm not knocking anyone's statement. Everyone has their opinion and everyone should be allowed to express it. That post is how I feel about a couple great people I know.

More than anything, I'm sticking up for the "Fender" type instrument and the people who continue to perpetuate this great design. Its the standard for all basses and calling it a "kit bass" doesnt make alot of sense to me. Also, people making a great bolt on shouldnt be discounted for their efforts. Mike Tobias, Fodera, etc make wonderful pieces. They carve bodies, tops, etc on the premises. Too cool. I've owned them and liked them. I dont have them anymore. They dont work for me. They work for many others and I respect players who gravitate to them

Long live Fender basses and every bass that is similar. I love them. They look, feel, sound amazing. I went full circle. Started off with a late '70s jazz at 17 and ended up playing the best jazz basses money can buy. Thats my 2 cents. I'm proud of my decision, proud of my affiliation with Sadowsky, and proud to have Anthony Valenti's home and cell phone programmed into my cell phone.

Rob
 
#115
cheezewiz said:
I didn't take that from anyone's post. I was just commenting positively about Nino. That doesn't infer I think negatively of you(PS....Italians have the biggest packages) :)
Click to expand...

I just got done watching the first 5 seasons of the Sopranos. I've got a 55" widescreen High Def TV. They didn't look that big to me;) Now the boobs on the Bada Bing girls is a different story:D
 
#116
bikeplate said:
HI

Wow. What a thread. I'm one of the biggest Sadowsky nuts on the planet. I own 5. On the other hand, I consider Nino a friend and would love to get a bass from him just because I like him so much!! Im sure sometime soon I will. I prefer Sadowsky's. I think his 4 string neck feels better than any neck out there. I think Roger's preamp and pickups are the best combination on the planet. I love the finishes, fretwork, setup, shape of the headstock, you name it. The first time I played one was the last time I wanted anything other than a Sadowsky

All that being said, a Valenti bass is outstanding. Fit, finish, fretwork, etc. Lots of options, colors, etc

A kit bass? I guess. I still dont understand why many seem to think that a bass handcarved would better get the job done than a CNC'd bass. The bottom line is how does it sound, feel, play. I dont care is Roger, Nino, Dan Lakin, etc get there woods from the dumpster. What they create ultimately is a remarkable instrument that sounds like a million dollars. Thats all that matters.

Easy to bolt one together? Sure. I made a Warmoth bass a couple years back. Beautiful finish, used the best hardware available, even used a Sadowsky pre and pickups. It was not a good bass. Was acoustically dead. Sold it pretty quickly.

I find it a disgrace to just discount the years and years guys like Roger, Nino, etc have invested and just say "anyone can do it" Yea, I guess anyone can. I was one who thought I could. My guitar player buddy was another. Trust me, you dont want to buy one of his Strats or Tele's!!!

Lets give credit where credit is due.

Bottom line is alot of us prefer a Bolt on bass. Many of us like the way it sounds. I do not like set necks, neckthoughs, etc.

Im a rocker and prefer the look of a Fender type instrument on stage!!

Handcarved does not equal better. It equals different and I say "no thanks". I'll take one of my 8lb Sadowskys, turn up my amp, and rip you head off. Thats what matters. You've gotta like what you have in your hands. If you dont, you've got the wrong thing in your hands.

Long live patient, meticulous people like Nino, Roger, Etc. The next time you run into one of them, shake their hand and thank them for the hard work, sweat, and attention to detail.

Rob
Click to expand...

+1

btw, I think this is quite possibly the longest post I've ever seen you type Rob. ;)
 
#117
Nowhere in this thread is there a discussion going on about Bolt-on's being inferior than any other neck joint. You must be in the wrong thread. The instruments I build are very Fender inspired bolt-on's with different shapes but 'm going for that basic tone. I only own two basses right now, both are Fender. I love bolt-on's. The discussion is the ease of bolting a neck to the body, no big deal.
bikeplate said:
HI

When I showed up? I was always here. I'm not knocking anyone's statement. Everyone has their opinion and everyone should be allowed to express it. That post is how I feel about a couple great people I know.

More than anything, I'm sticking up for the "Fender" type instrument and the people who continue to perpetuate this great design. Its the standard for all basses and calling it a "kit bass" doesnt make alot of sense to me. Also, people making a great bolt on shouldnt be discounted for their efforts. Mike Tobias, Fodera, etc make wonderful pieces. They carve bodies, tops, etc on the premises. Too cool. I've owned them and liked them. I dont have them anymore. They dont work for me. They work for many others and I respect players who gravitate to them

Long live Fender basses and every bass that is similar. I love them. They look, feel, sound amazing. I went full circle. Started off with a late '70s jazz at 17 and ended up playing the best jazz basses money can buy. Thats my 2 cents. I'm proud of my decision, proud of my affiliation with Sadowsky, and proud to have Anthony Valenti's home and cell phone programmed into my cell phone.

Rob
Click to expand...
 
#120
Peter Parker said:
With a few more posts on how the Valenti is as good or better than a Sadowsky the wheels on the whole Sadowsky mystique are going to fall off. Maybe folks will finally understand that it's not hard at all to bolt together a quality bass using quality parts. Spend just a little time and anyone can learn how to set-up a bass to play however they like. Very simple actually. ***In no way am I trying to knock Nino in my comments. I'm not really trying to knock Sadowsky either but I know it reads that way.***
Click to expand...

No offense, but even you said in you first post that it looks like you are knocking Sadowksy and Nino.
 

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